OpportunitiesArts Entrepreneurship Program

Discover the Opportunities with Arts Entrepreneurship

• Student Leadership and Organizations At Gustavus, there are numerous opportunities for student leadership and involvement in various organizations. These opportunities allow you to enhance your skills in communication, publicity and storytelling, organization, event planning, budgeting, creative problem-solving, and teamwork. Plus, you can build strong friendships and make a significant impact on campus.

  Here are some examples of student leadership roles and organizations that students can participate in:

  • Fine Arts Student Employment: There are student employment opportunities to work within the fine arts department, music department, theatre and dance department, or art/art history department. As a student employee, you can assist faculty and staff with various tasks such as art gallery management, music and theatre show management, writing media press releases, and managing social media.
  • Leadership in Music Ensembles: Gustavus has a wide variety of music ensembles that have student leadership roles. You may be a section leader, student conductor, plan social events for the ensemble, or run the ensemble social media account.
  • Theatre/Dance: Students interested in theatre and dance can get involved in writing and directing one-act plays or choreographing dance performances.
  • Jazz Club: The Jazz Club is a student-led organization focused on promoting and fostering jazz music on campus. Students can get involved by organizing jam sessions, hosting performances, inviting guest artists, and planning off-campus events.
  • Dead Poets Society: The Dead Poets Society is a literary-appreciation club that celebrates poetry and creative writing. Students can participate in poetry readings, writing workshops, and is a supportive community for aspiring poets and writers.
  • Firethorne Literary Magazine: Firethorne is Gustavus's student-run literary magazine. Students can take on editorial roles, review and select submissions, design and layout the magazine, and organize launch events to celebrate the publication.
  • Campus Activities Board Event Planning: The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for organizing and planning a wide range of events on campus, including concerts, comedy shows, movie nights, and cultural events.

• Internships Internships are an important way to gain practical experience and valuable networking opportunities. Whether on campus or across the country, the faculty, alumni, and Center for Career Development help connect you with an internship that aligns with your interests and career goals. An internship bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional experience, equipping you with practical skills and industry insights necessary for a successful career in the arts.

• Alumni Network Gustavus has a strong network of alumni who actively support and engage with the fine arts community. Graduates from Gustavus maintain strong ties to the college and remain enthusiastic supporters of the arts. They are a valuable resource for students pursuing careers in the arts. Alumni serve as mentors and are well-positioned to assist students in finding internships or career opportunities. Many alumni hold positions within arts organizations, arts administration, or related fields, and they can leverage their professional networks to connect students with relevant internship opportunities, make introductions, or provide insider knowledge about job openings and industry-specific opportunities.

• Career Services Support The fine arts faculty and Center for Career Development are dedicated to supporting you in your career exploration and professional development. There are a range of resources and guidance including to help with resume building, interview preparation, networking opportunities, informational interviews with alumni, internship and job search strategies, career fairs, workshops, and events. This support provides valuable guidance and connections that can open doors to future artistic endeavors from the Guthrie Theatre and Minnesota Orchestra to cutting-edge advertising agencies, visual arts centers, or other creative industries.

• Study Away Living and learning in another country can be a transformative and enriching educational experience. There are several programs focused on arts administration that combine academic classes and cultural immersion such as in Denmark, France, and Italy. You can expand your understanding of the arts, develop a global awareness, and cultivate skills that are highly valued in the increasingly interconnected and diverse arts industry. These study away opportunities are an immersive experience to learn in a diverse cultural context and gain international perspectives.